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Dec 14 Christmas Gifts that fit in your Suitcase

Anyone else traveling for Christmas this year? Beyond the normal stress of Christmas bustle and preparation, those of us moms who are headed out of town for the holidays also have to figure out how to pack, for both ourselves and our kids. On top of THAT, we have to figure out what to get our kids (and everyone else) as gifts that they will love and won’t take up too much room in our suitcase.

A book can be the perfect travel-friendly gift that will fit in your suitcase

I’m excited about our ideas for Christmas gifts this year, and since my kids don’t read my blog (yet), I’m hoping this is safe to share and that maybe it will help some of my fellow traveling-mamas.

This year, all of our kids are getting one book wrapped and tucked into my suitcase beside the snow pants and scarves.

But here’s the trick: We are tucking fun surprises and coupons and bonus gifts in the pages of the book.

For example, Caden has been wanting us to sponsor another Compassion kiddo because Jayci writes with our current sponsored child. So we sponsored a little boy who shares his birthday, and we are tucking his “welcome packet” inside Caden’s book. We also got Caden a subscription to Sports Illustrated Kids, and that will go inside his book (Jayci is getting National Geographic Kids subscription, although I distinctly remember feeling highly disappointed one year when I got this for Christmas. Oh well).

Tickets to a fun concert for Jayci, coloring pages for Zay, and these coupons for ice cream outings and breakfast in bed, plus cards and letters from mommy and daddy will also get slipped between pages.

And the best part? I can fit these thoughtful gifts in my suitcase, without giving up space for my warm clothes I’ll need for Colorado.

Adam will never guess what he’s getting this year either.

Two last notes:1. If you aren’t sure what to get me for Christmas, I am of the belief that you can never have too many books. 2. My kids have always been a little skeptical of Santa (see Exhibit A, below), but just in case, we are having one more gift for each kid delivered to Ashton who will be here to put them under our tree while we’re gone - voila, Christmas magic!